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Family movie guide

The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.

RECOMMENDED

Around the World in 80 Days

(PG) - Jackie Chan stars in a remake of the 1956 Oscar winner for best picture. Action violence is a given with Chan's martial arts background. The film also contains mild profanity and crude humor.

(PG) - Briefly rude language nudges this movie beyond the G-rated level. Otherwise, it's what parents and children expect from a live-action version of a cartoon favorite.

(PG) - The sequel is funnier and livelier than the 2001 original. Much of the humor is multigenerational, with a few flatulence jokes and mild cartoon violence, but nothing for parents to fret about.

The Day After Tomorrow

(PG-13) - The end of the world is near in Roland Emmerich's latest disaster flick. That prospect might upset young moviegoers. Catastrophes that include a tidal wave swamping Manhattan, polar shifts and gang tornadoes create a lot of destruction without much time focused on casualties. Possible nightmare potential for impressionable viewers.

(PG) - As the bespectacled wizard matures, so do movie adaptations of J.K. Rowling's novels. The third film depicts a more rebellious Harry, with family issues that young viewers may not entirely understand. The film also contains a stronger child-in-peril factor than before, with an escaped murderer (Gary Oldman) stalking Harry. Beasts include an unusual breed of werewolf, a demon dog and the ghostly Dementors, which could inspire nightmares. Recommended for 10 and older.

(Not rated, probably PG-13) - Director Morgan Spurlock's stunt of eating McDonald's meals exclusively for a month is getting attention for his warnings about America's fast-food culture and lack of exercise. A segment dealing with nutrition in school lunches should be seen by teenagers. Some profanity (including two f-words) and brief discussion of Spurlock's sexual inadequacy on his regimen. Gross-out images of gastric surgery and a rectal exam.

(PG-13) - A foreign visitor (Tom Hanks) is trapped in JFK airport by border security red tape. The result is a sweet-natured romantic comedy with a few profanities and brief drug references, but nothing that should alarm parents.

Breakin' All the Rules

(PG-13) - A jilted author (Jamie Foxx) writes a guide to breaking up relationships, escalating the battle of the sexes. The MPAA rating results from sexual material and profanity.

(PG-13) - Vin Diesel's science fiction adventure was previously rated R and was trimmed to a more profitable PG-13 standard. There's still enough loud, intense violence and profanity to make parents wary.

(PG-13) - Jocks and nerds compete in a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament. The silly concept is augmented by rude and sexual humor plus strong profanity.

(PG-13) - High school campus comedy starring Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday) as an outcast student. The MPAA singled out "teen partying" as a reason for the rating, along with sexual content and profanity.

(PG-13) - Winning chemistry between Kate Hudson and John Corbett saves Garry Marshall's movie. Mature themes include the sudden deaths of both parents and lessons learned by the partying aunt (Hudson) chosen to raise the orphans. Brief subtexts of teen sexuality. Mild profanity and religion-themed comedy.

(PG-13) - Children can't fully appreciate a dark satire of male oppression and absurdly feminine makeovers. Parents won't appreciate their children hearing so much discussion of sexual issues that need explaining. Moderate profanity and mild frights are included.

(PG-13) - Hugh Jackman (X-Men) plays a fearless vampire hunter who must also contend with Frankenstein's monster and Wolfman. The monsters are portrayed as vicious sorts in computer-enhanced detail that will be nightmare material for some young children. Violence is relentless and grisly, and sexual tension between Jackman and Kate Beckinsale is strong.